Presession Report 2019
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PRESESSION REPORT 2019 PRE-FILED LEGISLATION • House http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/Prefiles.aspx?Chamber=2 • Senate http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/Prefiles.aspx?Chamber=1 There were 28 pre-filed pieces of legislation for 2019. While some were on the lighter side – such as naming the judicial center after Governor Nathan Deal and commending the Atlanta Braves 2018 season – some notables include the following: HB 2 – (Rep. Matt Gurtler) Allows certain Georgians to carry a firearm without a permit. HB 8 – (Rep. Debbie Buckner) Exempts certain women’s hygiene products from state sales tax. HR 2 – (Rep. Scot Turner) Prohibits the use of a poll tax in Georgia. HR 6 – (Rep. Michael Caldwell) Provides for term limits for state elected officials. SB 2 – (Sen. Steve Gooch) Allows for EMCs to partner with internet companies to provide broadband service to members. HOT BUTTON ISSUES FOR 2019 Education Throughout the campaign, Governor Kemp presented education as one of his top priorities. Included in this is teacher compensation and a priority on mental health counselors in schools as well as school security. We will also continue to watch and see how the state proceeds with the implementation of the testing pilot program passed in 2018. One complication in education policy in 2019 is a void in leadership in each Chamber. With the retirement of Brooks Coleman in the House and Senator Lindsey Tippins resigning his chairmanship, both committees are currently without a leader. We expect the new chairs to be announced any day now. Rural Georgia Throughout the 2018 Legislative Session and the 2018 Campaign season, we saw a recurring theme in that legislators see the need for reforms that aid rural Georgia. Rural broadband will undoubtedly be a hot topic. Lawmakers will seek funding for the rural broadband expansion passed in 2018 as well as seek other innovative ways to bring connectivity to rural Georgia. Medicaid expansion It has become clear to many elected officials in Georgia that the current Medicaid system is not sustainable. While Republican lawmakers have traditionally not been receptive to Medicaid expansion, there are some examples around the country where waivers and other renditions of expansion have worked. A growing number of lawmakers in Georgia want the State to apply for a waiver to allow the state to insure more people under Medicaid. Depending on how it is designed, the move could help insure hundreds of thousands of Georgia citizens. Another interesting piece of the puzzle is that Governor Kemp tapped Tom Price, Donald Trump’s former Health and Human Services Secretary, to lead healthcare policy for his transition. How to handle a Medicaid waiver is a topic in which Price is well-versed. School safety School safety has become a concern of students, families, administrators and law enforcement alike over the last 15 years reaching its peak with the increase in incidents over the last two years. A study committee in the House and the Senate met over the summer to hear different approaches to school security and ideas to make schools safer for our students while also maintaining a welcoming learning environment. Governor Kemp has indicated that, under his leadership, each of Georgia’s 2,292 public schools will receive a one-time allotment of $30,000 to use as they see fit for school security. This allows for local control that the schools have expressed a need for. School security is not a “one size fits all” issue. No matter who is appointed as the new chairmen of the Education committees, school security is sure to be at the top of their priority list. NEW FACES As lobbyists, a lot of our time is spent fostering relationships with elected officials and staff. Following an election year, this becomes even more critical. There was a 20% turnover in the Legislature in 2018. This is not including a new Governor, Insurance Commissioner and Secretary of State. While we already have relationships with many of these folks, there are a lot left to meet! Chairmanships that will change: (updated as of 1/9) House Education House Regulated Industries House Rules – Chairman Jay Powell appointed 1/8 House Ways and Means Senate Education Here is a list of all the new members of the General Assembly: New Senate Member Former Senate Member District Greg Dolezal- R Michael Williams- R 27- Cumming Sally Harrell- D Fran Millar- R 40- Atlanta Zahra Karinshak- D David Shafer- R 48- Duluth Randy Robertson- R Josh McKoon- R 29- Columbus Rahman Sheikh- D Curt Thompson- D 5- Tucker New House MeMber ForMer House MeMber District Steven Sainz- R Jason Spencer- R 180- Woodbine Erick Allen- D Rich Golick- R 40- Smyrna Mike Cheokas- R Bill McGowan- D 138- Americus Viola Davis- D “Coach” Williams- D 87- Avondale Estates Ginny Ehrhart- R Earl Ehrhart- R 36- Powder Springs Holly El-Mahdi- D Geoff Cauble- R 111- Locust Grove Chris Erwin- R Dan Gasaway- R 28- Homer Becky Evans- D Howard Mosby- D 83- Atlanta Houston Gaines- R Deborah Gonzalez- D 117- Athens Matthew Gambill- R Paul Battles- R 15- Cartersville Joseph Gullett- R Paulette Rakestraw- R 19- Hiram Betsy Holland- D Beth Beskin- R 54- Atlanta CaMia Hopson- D Darrel Bush Ealum- D 153- Albany Shelly Hutchingson- D David Casas- R 107- Lilburn Angelika Kausche- D Brad Raffesnsperger- R 50- Johns Creek Gregg Kennard- D Buzz Brockaway- R 102- Lawrenceville Danny Mathis- R Bubber Epps- R 144- Dry Branch Josh McLaurin- D Wendell Willard- R 51- Sandy Springs Steven Meeks- R Chad Nimmer- R 178- Blackshear Martin Momtahan- R Howard Maxwell- R 17- Dallas Colton Moore- R John Deffenbaugh- R 1- Lookout Mountain Beth Moore- D Scott Hilton- R 95- Peachtree Corners Ken Pullin- R Johnnie Caldwell, Jr.- R 131- Thomasten Bonnie Rich- R Brooks Coleman- R 97- Duluth Mary Robichaux- D Betty Price- R 48- Roswell Donna McLeod- R Joyce Chandler- R 105- Lawrencville Vance Smith- R John Pezold- R 133- Fortson Dale Washburn- R Allen Peake- R 141- Macon Marcus Wiedower- R Johnathan Wallace- D 119- Watkinsville Michael Wilensky- D Tom Taylor- R 79- Dunwoody Mary Frances Williams- D Sam Teasley- R 37- Marietta Noel Williams- R Buddy Harden- R 148- Cordele Matthew Wilson- D Megan Hanson- R 80- Brookhaven We look forward to working with you throughout the 2019 Legislative Session. Our contact information is below. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you! Don Bolia 404-314-4844 [email protected] Laura Norton 678-699-6426 [email protected] Brittany Ellison 404-516-7825 [email protected] .